The Dos & Don’ts Every Startup Must Follow in Order to Prosper

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So, you're ready to start your business venture. Great! Get off on the right track by following ...

So, you're ready to start your business venture. Great! Get off on the right track by following a few simple "DO's and DON'Ts." For example, you definitely do want to make sure you choose the proper legal structure for your business, but you don'twant to spend too much money on upscale office furnishings unless it's absolutely important to your business. Read: 7 Basic Steps To Writing A Business Plan

The Startup Do's

Do limit your liability to your investment in your company by incorporating your business or organizing it as a limited liability company.

Dodisclose everything to your attorney about your
proposed business venture and past business experiences, both positive
and negative.

Do discuss with your attorney the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of business entities.

Do discuss with your attorney the "corporate formalities" to which you must adhere in order to preserve the limited liability afforded to you by virtue of having incorporated your business.

Do discuss with your attorney the need for a detailed written buy-sell agreement with your business partners.

Do discuss with your attorney the need for a written employee handbook and written employment agreements containing confidentiality and non competition obligations if necessary.

Doapply for a federal tax identification number for your business (necessary for almost all businesses).

Do talk to a tax professional and budget for taxes.

Do invest in technology.

Do prepare a detailed written business plan.

Do seek advice from organizations such as Small Business Development Centers and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

Do join your local chamber of commerce, local civic organizations, trade groups, and entrepreneurs organizations.

Doget to know your customers and suppliers.

Do network.

Every start up must craft a mission statement. In its simplest form, a mission statement describes why you are in business. Once you know exactly what your mission is — you need to breathe, eat and sleep it. You need to exude this to your employees, customers and colleagues. Also read: 10 Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes To Avoid in order to get success

The Startup Dont's

Don't make expensive office space and furnishings a high priority unless you are in an "image" business.

Don't print your stationary, business cards, and
promotional materials until you have had a trademark attorney conduct a
search of existing state and federal trademarks and pending trademark applications.

Don't spend money required to be set aside for employee and other withholding taxes.

Don'tsign company contracts in your individual capacity. Rather, sign them on behalf of the company as an officer of the company.

Don't put off buying insurance.

Don't give up 50 percent of your company to investors in your first fundraising effort.

Don't pass up opportunities for free publicity.

Don'ttry to do everything yourself. Setting up a business is complicated, and a business law attorney can assist you in making and implementing the right decisions.

Make sure you hire the right people according to their core competencies. Concentrate on and use their strengths for your important needs. Don’t spend time on trying to improve their weaknesses.Getting Legal HelpThere is no one right way to start a business, but there are plenty
of lessons to be learned from those that have gone before. Following
best practices and avoiding certain avoidable pitfalls will give your
venture a better chance of succeeding. Contact a business and commercial law attorney licensed in your state for help.